Epson QX-10 - Manual (Page 17)

the end of each day, all you have to do is take the disk marked
for that day and copy your data onto it. For specific backup in-
structions, refer to the user’s guide for your system.
If you’re still unconvinced, just remember Murphy’s Law: If
anything can go wrong, it will. There are all sorts of ways to lose
important data. Lightning might hit the power line, causing a
power surge that makes the computer write random information
all over the diskette. Your children might decide to play disk jockey.
You might spill coffee on a diskette or even (heaven forbid!) drop
a hot ash on the disk surface, causing it to melt. The only way
to protect yourself is to have backups. Get in the habit of making
backups right away.
Don’t Touch those Diskettes!
No, we don’t mean you have to wear gloves. Just make sure you
don’t touch the magnetic surface of the diskette-the areas that
show through the holes of the disk package. The oils on your
fingers can play havoc with the data.
Handle disks only by their protective
jackets, keep them in their protective
envelopes when they’re not in use,
and store them in protective cases or
other dustproof containers.
Just like phonograph records, disk-
ettes hate dirt, dust, fingerprints,
grime, or spilled coffee. On records,
these things are a nuisance, but on
diskettes they can spell disaster. Once
again, make backups!
Don’t Force the Merchandise
Diskettes are flexible, but that
doesn’t mean that you can bend, fold,
spindle, or mutilate them. Any phys-
ical abuse can damage the magnetic
coating, and there goes your data.
Another important point: never force
a diskette into the drive. If it won’t
slide in easily, something’s wrong.
There may be a diskette already in the
slot, and you could end up damaging
both of them.
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